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This week I have been pleased to accept an appointment to the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC). The commission was established in 1992 with this mission: “to ensure that the Commonwealth as provider, financier and regulator adopts the most cost effective and efficacious means of delivery of health care services so that the greatest number of Virginians receive quality health care.” The commission has 18 members, all legislators, and a staff of four. Delegate John O’Bannon (R-73rd) serves as commission chair. Dr.

Last week the General Assembly reconvened for a Special Session, passed a state budget and attempted to ensure that Governor McAuliffe would have no possible option of expanding Medicaid without securing full legislative concurrence. Two unexpected events had an enormous, and in my view, an unfortunate impact on the results of the Special Session.

In Virginia, there are 400,000 low-income people who can’t afford health coverage but don’t qualify for federal insurance subsidies. If they lived across the state line in Maryland, West Virginia or Kentucky, which have expanded their Medicaid programs, they could get the coverage they need. Terry McAuliffe, the Virginia governor, campaigned on bringing an expanded Medicaid program to Virginia, too.

Congratulations to Attorney General Mark Herring for his opinion that DACA students are eligible for in-state tuition under current Virginia law. I have been fighting for this opportunity for the past two General Assembly sessions. This is the right thing to do. I am proud that Virginia elected an AG with the courage to extend the American Dream to future citizens who will enrich our Commonwealth.

As we complete the regular Legislative Session we still do not have a budget. The sticking point has been and still is Medicaid Expansion, i.e., Marketplace Virginia. A new budget is absolutely necessary for the government to continue to operate after June 30, and I expect the Governor will call a Special Session for this purpose in mid‐March.

Richmond report: January 24, 2014: Tuition Equity Act, legislation update, town hall meeting,
Dear Friends,
We have now completed a little more than two weeks of the Legislative Session, and here is some late‐breaking news: My bill, HB 59, the Tuition Equity Act, offering in‐state tuition to undocumented students designated for Deferered Action, will be heard next Tuesday afternoon.
Here is an update on how my other bills are faring:
LEGISLATION ACTED UPON:

Richmond Report, January 10, 2014: first week report, survey
Dear Friends,
This marks the end of the first week of the 2014 Legislative Session. We are very pleased, of course, at the prospect of installing newly‐elected statewide office holders. In particular we look forward to the inspiration and leadership offered by our about‐to‐be‐inaugurated Governor, Terry McAuliffe.